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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 117 -- August 8, 1944, Tuesday AM Frevent, France Railroad Embankment and Junction
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 117 -- August 8, 1944, Tuesday AM Frevent, France Railroad Embankment and Junction
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Place of Take-Off : AAF-170 Wethersfield RAF Station, England A/C Dispatched : 39 Total -- 32 A-20G's, 7 A-20J's Tactical Target Dossier: 5002E/B/41 Illustration : 5002E/81 Illustration Ref : 090046, 089039, 081045 - 2 Flights Each Secondary Target : No Alternate Targets Authorized Summary of Results : Bombing results by flight ranged from Unknown to Excellent. One flight did not bomb - leader stated bomb sight would not release bombs. Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 50.27421,2.29338 (50° 16' 27" N, 2° 17' 36" E) (Latitude/Longitude based on Google Maps, Visual match to Strike Photo) (See Latitude/Longitude Coordinates and Target Identifiers for more information. Note: This coordinate represents the Primary Target Location, the Location actually attacked may differ) |
| Date | Report |   |
A/C Serial # Type |
Mis- sion # |
Bomb Sq |
Location | Personnel (Status when available) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 1944 Tuesday |
MACR 7799 |
|
43-9390 A-20G |
117 | 669 | Near Abbieville, France | Shainberg, Norman Vernon (MIA, POW, SWA, RMC, EUS)
Dugan, John Dallas Jr. (MIA, POW, RMC) Curtis, Layford Burdett (MIA, POW, RMC, RTD) |
| Aug 8, 1944 Tuesday |
MACR 7794 |
|
43-9673 A-20G |
117 | 669 | West of Frevent, Fr. | Dontas, Peter NMI (MIA, KIA)
Fields, William Edward (MIA, POW, RMC, RTD) Nielsen, Arthur Lawrence (MIA, KIA) |
= Entries having actual Reports available for review. = Entries having additional Images or Photos.)Mission Loading Lists Transcription
Mission # 117 -- August 8, 1944, Tuesday AM
Frevent, France -- Railroad Embankment and Junction
| 1 669th 43-10135 2A-T A-20J Maj Clark, R.A. Lt Jones, C.W. S/Sgt Webb, C.L. S/Sgt Mayhew, A.E. [Mayhew (4th CCU)] |
2 669th 43-9202 2A-B A-20G Lt Siggs, W.C. S/Sgt Radlich, N. S/Sgt Nicks, R.W. |
3 669th 43-9390 2A-G A-20G Lt Shainberg, N.V. Sgt Dugan, J.D., Jr. Sgt Curtis, L.B. [Last over target] |
| 4 669th 43-9376 2A-O A-20G Lt Peck, W.A. S/Sgt Bergeron, A.E. S/Sgt Kelton, H.E. [Window] |
5 669th 43-9673 2A-I A-20G Lt Dontas, P. S/Sgt Nielsen, A.L. S/Sgt Fields, W.E. [Window Last over target] |
6 669th 43-9929 2A-C A-20G Lt Tripp, W.F., Jr. S/Sgt Scott, J.O. S/Sgt Mallory, D.F. [Window] |
| 1 671st 43-21711 5C-S A-20J Lt Marzolf, L.A. Lt Beck, J.T. S/Sgt Wellin, H.E. S/Sgt Kutzer, L.G. |
2 671st 43-9951 5C-P A-20G Lt Ames, W.H. Sgt Fessler, H.S. Sgt Brown, R.J. |
3 671st 43-9393 5C-K A-20G Lt Merchant, W.A. S/Sgt Harp, C.J. S/Sgt Brown, K.P. |
| 4 671st 43-9937 5C-B A-20G Lt Durante, A.R. S/Sgt Best, H.T. S/Sgt DeGiusti, I.R. [No Sortie Returned Early Engine Trouble] |
5 671st 43-9956 5C-Z A-20G Lt Lackovich, J.J. Sgt Connery, T.F. Sgt Barry, R.M. [Window] |
6 671st 43-10214 5C-C A-20G Lt Withington, D.L., III Sgt Huss, C.F. Sgt McElhattan, L.D. [Window] |
| 1 671st 43-9645 5C-R A-20J Lt Wheeler, R.V. Lt Arrington, H.T. S/Sgt Johnson, K.L. S/Sgt Czech, J.L. |
2 671st 43-9219 5C-D A-20G Lt Andrews, H.D., Jr. S/Sgt Cook, G.M. S/Sgt Werley, E.R. |
3 671st 43-10165 5C-H A-20G Lt Estes, C.L. S/Sgt Orvold, C.R. S/Sgt DiMartino, A.E. |
| 4 671st 43-9493 5C-V A-20G Lt Smith, R.H. S/Sgt Mahoney, R.J. S/Sgt Brower, J.S. [Window] |
5 671st 43-9925 5C-G A-20G Lt York, R.W. S/Sgt Ashton, L.A. S/Sgt Wilds, H.J. [Window] |
6 671st 43-9714 5C-N A-20G Lt Gary, J.C. Sgt Schoen, A.E., Jr. Sgt Cheuvront, R.W. [Window] |
| SPARE 669th 43-21961 2A-P A-20G Lt Renth, E.J., Jr. S/Sgt LaNave, O.D. Pvt Moskowitz, L. |
| 1 670th 43-9452 F6-Q A-20J Capt Rudisill, R.S. Lt Joost, R.H. S/Sgt Riley, R.K. S/Sgt Bonamo, A.J. |
2 670th 43-21759 F6-G A-20G Lt Nordstrom, A.W. S/Sgt Gossett, J.D. S/Sgt Miller, R.L. |
3 670th 43-9439 F6-J A-20J Lt Ostrander, W.B. Lt Koch, O.R. S/Sgt Wilson, J.E. S/Sgt Binney, I. |
| 4 670th 43-9674 F6-R A-20G Lt Hillerman, J.P. Sgt Paules, E.F. Sgt Martinez, L. [Window] |
5 670th 43-9217 F6-D A-20G Lt Brown, N.G. S/Sgt White, H.E. S/Sgt Addleman, R.F. [Window] |
6 670th 43-9750 F6-M A-20G Lt Grunig, D.B. Sgt Dias, M.E. Sgt Nowosielski, H.J., Jr. [Window] |
| 1 668th 43-9444 5H-J A-20J Capt McNulty, G.M. Lt Bursiel, F.H. S/Sgt Fejes, J.A., Jr. S/Sgt Judd, E.R., Jr. |
2 668th 43-21764 5H-X A-20G Lt Hill, L.E. S/Sgt Love, C.F. S/Sgt Adair, F.L. |
3 668th 43-10150 5H-N A-20G Lt Mish, C.C. S/Sgt Clark, C.J., Jr. S/Sgt Chustz, R.F. |
| 4 669th 43-9181 2A-A A-20G Lt Downing, W.E. S/Sgt Dickenson, E.S. S/Sgt Hornbeck, K.E., Jr. [Window] |
5 668th 43-9362 5H-L A-20G Lt Kenny, J.P. Sgt Spadoni, J.K. Sgt Noteriani, F. [Window] |
6 668th 43-9907 5H-O A-20G Lt Clausen, T. Sgt Fetko, C., Jr. S/Sgt Brown, D.M. [Window] |
| 1 668th 43-21719 5H-V A-20J Lt Meagher, J.F. Lt Burg, J.J. S/Sgt Naifeh, F. T/Sgt Robbins, L.G. |
2 668th 43-21819 5H-K A-20G Lt Kreh, E.B. S/Sgt Shelton, E.L. S/Sgt Schenck, D.R. |
3 668th 43-9701 5H-H A-20G Capt Prentiss, R.B. S/Sgt McCreery, J.E. S/Sgt Sylva, H.J. |
| 4 668th 43-21480 5H-B A-20G Lt Meredith, R.G., Jr. S/Sgt Hill, A.A. S/Sgt MacDonald, R.W. [No Sortie Returned Early Engine Trouble] |
5 668th 43-9195 5H-D A-20G Lt Colquitt, J.K. S/Sgt Raines, D.E. Sgt Gandy, R.S. |
6 668th 43-9894 5H-R A-20G Lt McCready, T.D. Sgt Fuehrer, W.F. Sgt Galloway, A.F. |
| SPARE 670th 43-9224 F6-E A-20G Lt Sewell, J.C. S/Sgt Sampson, D.A. Sgt Hummer, J.A. |
| 1 669th 43-9450 2A-S A-20J Lt Shaefer, R.F. Lt Lytle, W.M. S/Sgt Orr, J.R. S/Sgt Flacks, F.L. [Window] |
2 669th 43-9840 2A-V A-20G Lt Ebenstein, G.N. Sgt Roberts, J.H. Sgt Kochan, S.J. [Window] |
3 670th 43-9380 F6-N A-20G Lt Adams, J.D. S/Sgt Clearman, P.L., Jr. S/Sgt Zeikus, A.J. [Window] |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 117 -- August 8, 1944, Tuesday AM
Frevent, France -- Railroad Embankment and Junction
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1944"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
On the eighth our planes struck twice again. In the morning 36 planes attacked the Frevant railroad junction. Not a bomb fell outside the triangularshaped target area. The concentration of bombs in the center of the gathering of roads destroyed half of a large repair shop and several smaller installations. At least 17 goods wagons were destroyed. One direct hit landed on the line east of the bridge at the west end of the target and one on the line west of it. All thru lines in the gathering of roads were out. Major Clark, Lt. Jones, B-N, and Captain Rudisill, Lt. Joost, B-N, led the two boxes. Again we were hit by flak. Lt. Norman V. Shainberg's plane was hit by flak and was last seen heading toward our lines, losing altitude. One or two crews reported seeing it crash. No chutes were seen to emerge. Lt. Shainberg and his two gunners, Sgt. J.D. Dugan and Sgt. L.B. Curtis, are listed as MIA. Another plane out of that first flight also went down. The plane caught on fire when it was hit by flak after leaving the target; it was seen to lose a wing and then explode. Lt. Peter Dontas was the pilot. Staff Sergeants A.L. Nielsen and W.E. Fields were the gunners. One chute was seen to come out of the plane. The crew is listed as MIA.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 128
Mission #117 - 8 August - AM - Frevent Railroad Junction. Major Clark and Lt. Jones BN, and Captain Rudisill with Lt. Joost led Boxes. Lts. Marzolf and Beck, BN and Lt. Wheeler and Arrington, BN led, Captain McNulty and Lt. Burseil, BN and Lt. Meagher and Lt. Burg, BN led flights. This was a hot target, having been there before, and they did not move their big guns away, so we found out. Lt. Norman Shainberg with gunners Sgts. J. D. Dugan and L. B. Curtis received a direct hit and was seen going down in flames. One wing was sheared off and then the plane exploded. Lt. Peter Dontas with S/Sgts. A. L. Nielsen and W. E. Fields also went down. All were listed as MIA. Shainberg, Dugan, Curtis and Fields were POWs and freed. Lt. Dontas and S/Sgt. Nielsen were listed as KIA. Bombing results were excellent, with tracks, with box cars, and buildings seen to burst in flames. Lt. "Gee" Meredith noticed other pilots signalling to him that something was hanging from a wing. He determined it was one of his bombs that did not unshackle. The bomb was armed, and Meredith had to nurse it back to base and land as softly as he could, which he did. As soon as the plane rolled to a stop, all crew members scrambled away.
"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
The month had been a costly one for our Squadron. On the 8th, the Group attacked the railroad junction at Frevent. Flak centered on the first flight of the first box, led by Major Clark, Lt. Jones, B-N, was intense and accurate. Lt. Shainberg's plane was hit. It was last seen headed towards our lines, losing altitude. One or two crews reported seeing it crash. No chutes were seen to emerge. Lt. Shainberg and his gunners, Sgt. J.D. Dugan and Sgt. L.B. Curtis, are listed as MIA. Another plane out of that first flight also went down. The plane caught fire when it was hit shortly after leaving the target. A wing broke off and then the plane exploded. Lt. Dontas was the pilot, and Staff Sergeants A.L. Nielsen and W.E. Fields were the gunners. One chute was seen to come out of the plane. The crew is also listed as MIA.
On the 8th, Major Clark, Lt. Jones, B-N, led a formation in an attack on the Frevent marshalling yards. The results were excellent; the lines being made unserviceable. Flak was intense and accurate for that first flight. The two planes mentioned earlier were shot down, both from our Squadron.
That afternoon the radar installations in the Bois du Pierre were the targets. Again the results ranged from good to excellent, the bombs hitting around the chateau probably destroying or damaging it. Major Napier, Lt. Madenfort, B-N, and Capt. Huff, Lt. Kupits, B-N, led the second and third flights of the first box. Just one of those things happened, though, and although it looked like our bombs hit their mark, photo reconnaissance showed no evident damage to the installations.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
On August 8th two missions were again flown. In the morning an attack on the Freven rail road junction suceeded in cutting all through lanes to a nearby marshalling yards. We had six crews participating. Radar installations in the Bois du Pierre Chateau were the target of the afternoon mission on which the squadron had ten crews. On this latter mission, Lt Leonard reported seeing one of the new enemy jet propelled planes knock a P-38 out of the sky. The squadron was augmented on this date by the addition of two bombardiers, Lts Dale G. Ackerson and William E. Brewer.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
August 8th, 1944
This turned out to be another double-header in the way of missions for the Group. In the late morning two boxes went in to hit R/R embankments and marshalling yard at Frevent, where this Group had lots of previous experience. The target was as hot as it ever was, and flak knocked down two ships from the 669th Bomb Squadron. In this same area Lt. Stockwell and Lt. Jedinak went down, and also Lt.Schouten. In fact, it was just about the same spot.
However, this did not hinder the bombing any, fair to excellent results being reported. All through lines in the gathering roads have been cut. Of the widespread pattern of strikes covering town and rail areas, a concentration of at least 14 has destroyed half of the large repair shop and several smaller installations, and demolished or damaged at least 17 wagons in the center of the gathering roads. Two direct hits were seen on lines West of the bridge at the West end of the roads.
The evening mission brought less flak to the formation for a change, but it also brought a new type of hazard û that of enemy fighters; the first that this group has actually and definitely encountered. Three to four ME 109 fighter came out of a top cloud cover to attack the formation. However, they must have misjudged our position, for the escort of P-38's got to them first. One ME 109 took a diving pass at a Lightening and knock out one of the engines. However, it recovered and called for D/F to base, and headed for home. The other P-38's finished off the Jerry as his plane blew up and the pilot was last seen hurtling earthward with the chute still unopened. That was the climax of the mission. All the planes returned to base safely and as far as hitting the target are concerned one flight got excellent and two flights good. The target was a German radar control station in the Argentan-Alcenon sector of Normandy, and extensive damage was believed to have been done.
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[August 8, 1944], HQ Twelfth Army Group situation map Map showing Western Allies and Axis troop position details in Western Europe as of approximately 1200 hours, August 8, 1944 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |